Tuning the CO₂ and CO Electroreduction by Rate-Determining and Selectivity-Determining Steps.

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) using renewable electricity is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality.
• Significant advancements have been made in catalyst design and reaction interfaces to improve electrocatalytic performance.
• Understanding complex reaction mechanisms through in situ characterizations and theoretical studies is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize strategies for tuning the activity and selectivity of CO2 electroreduction.
• To analyze the impact of these strategies on rate-determining and selectivity-determining steps.
• To explore the coupling of CO2 electroreduction with other reactions for value-added product synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on CO2 electroreduction.
• Analysis of rate-determining and selectivity-determining steps in complex reaction networks.
• Discussion of coupling strategies with other electrochemical reactions.

Main Results:

• Strategies influencing rate-determining steps can enhance overall reaction rates.
• Strategies impacting selectivity-determining steps are critical for controlling product distribution.
• Coupling CO2 electroreduction with reactions like nitrite reduction and methane oxidation can yield valuable products.

Conclusions:

• Tuning electrochemical kinetics through understanding elementary steps is key to optimizing CO2 electroreduction.
• Addressing challenges and exploring opportunities in catalyst design and reaction engineering will drive future advancements.
• Integrated approaches combining CO2 reduction with other processes offer pathways to sustainable chemical production.